Hair waving apparatus



. Nov. 30, 1937. J. B. COFENHEFER HAIR WAVING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 10, 1936 Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEF,

John B. Copenhefer, Louisville,.Ky. V

Application Septemberlfl, 1936, Serial No. 100,138 f 19 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of waving hair and has. particular application to apparatus by means. of which the user may arrange her own coifiure. eral nature difiiculty has been experienced in forming a satisfactory wave due to the complexity of the apparatus used. Since the user customarily employs a mirror in waving her own hair and since the mirror image is reversed, any

apparatus of a complicated nature requires skillful use and entails aslow waving operation. Moreover, in most apparatus of this type it is extremely difiicult to remove the apparatus from the hair after the wave is formed withoutdisarranging the wave to a'gr'eater or less extent.

The-present invention provides a solution to these disadvantages and oifers a means by which a user may wave her own hair in a satisfactory and distinct manner in accordance with any style which she may wish to employ. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the inven: tion is not intended to be limited to use solely in this manner, but on the contrary may well be employed by professional hair dressers in waving the hair of their clients.

One object of the invention is the provision of a simple and efiicient apparatus by which a user may wave her own hair;

Another object is the provision of means for removing the apparatus from the disarranging the wave;

Another object is the provision of means for varying the depth of the wave and for insuring hair without a uniform waving of all hair held by the apparatus;

A further object is the provision of hair waving apparatus which may be securely held in any direction so that a wave may be formed sidered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which; 7

Figure 1 is a plan view of the comb element,

Figure 2 is an elevation of the comb element,

Figure 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2, V

Figure 4 is a plan view of the wave forming element,

Figure 5 is an elevation of the wave form ng,

element,

Heretofore, in apparatus of this gen- Figure 6 is :asection taken on HQ Figure 5, g

Figure? is a view'showing' the assembled a'pparatusat the conclusion of the wave forming operation,

Figure 8 isa view showing the assembled paratus in ready position prior to the wave forming operation, and W Figure ,9 is a sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Figure 8. w 1 As will be noted from the drawing, the apparatus comprises essentially two elements-which cooperate to produce the desired waving effect. In Figures 1 to 3 the first of these elements is shown and for convenience may be termed .a comb element. One form which may be used comf prises spaced side walls I and 2 forming a channel structure within which the wave forming element is movably journalled. In order .to .conform to the general contour of the head so that an eflicient waving of the hair may result, the

apparatus is designedwith a concave inner sur face and with a convex outer surface,

,The upstanding side walls I and} of the comb element are joined to depending walls 3.and 4 by means of bearing ledges 5 and 6 providing secure bearing surfaces for the movable waving ,ele.-' ment later to be described. Formed in the lower faces of each of walls 3 and 4 is a plurality of comb-like teeth 1, providing the means for holding the hair to be waved. It is contemplated that the teeth on wall 3 will be duplicates .of. the teeth on wall 4 and will be correspondingly spaced. For convenience of manufacture, especially when apparatus molded by dies is to be used, it is intended that the axis of all teeth will be formed. on parallel lines as shown. Even though these parallel axes of the several teeth. result in teeth of different length, it is found that the resulting advantage of lifting the comb element along a single direction without disarranging the formed wave more than offsets any disadvantage in non-uniformity of the several comb teeth.

Side walls land 2 a. the comb element at" rigidly held in' their proper relation. byspacing members 8 and'9'located adjacent theends'of these Walls and by a housing It] positioned intermediate the ends of the comb element. 7

Referring now to Figures 4 to- 6 wherein the wave forming element is shown, it will be noted that the structure employs the identical concave V inner surface and convex outer surface usedupon the comb element with which it cooperates. An

elongated backbone member 2015 provided along its upper surfaces with longitudinal ribs 2| and 22 adapted to fit within walls l and 2 of the comb element and to have a relatively close fit against the lower portion of housing ill. Bearing surfaces and 26 of the wave forming member similarly coincide with the shape of bearing ledges 5 and 6 of the comb member with the result that when the apparatus is assembled there can be no improper rocking motion between the respective parts. It will be noted in this connection that ample bearing surface for heavy duty is provided by ledges El and 5 and that bearing surfaces 25 and 26 extend close to the lower side walls 3 and 4 thus preventing the trapping of any loose hair between the bearing ledges and the bearing surfaces. As a result of this construction severe strains, such as may be occasioned by the so called tight waving,-may be placed upon the apparatus without resulting in breakage of the same.

Along the lower concave surface of member 28 a plurality of wave forming teeth 27 are positioned. In general, these. teeth are preferably constructed in parallel relation and .are inclined at a reverse angle from that employedby the teeth upon the comb element. As will be apparent, however, the precise shape of the teeth upon either element, the inclination of such teeth or the number and size thereof may be widely varied without departing from the scope or intent of the invention and it is tobe understood that the invention is not to be limited solely to the form herein shown.

Since the wave forming member may move an appreciable distance within the comb element and since certain of the end teeth on that comb element may tend to hold strands of hair, an extension member 28 is provided as shown and forms a continuation of backbone member 28. By means of this construction the surfaces 25 and 26 are extended so that when the comb element is disengaged from the wave forming element any hair trapped by any teeth '1 will be positively pushed from those teeth by the edges of surfaces 25. and 26. As a consequence, no portion of the waved hair is disarranged and a more desirable effect results.

In order to. assemble and secure together the elements as hereinabove disclosed, parallel upstanding supports 39 and 3! are constructed upon the wave forming member. These supports serve a dual function in that they provide an assembly means for the apparatus and at the same time provide a means for the actuation of the structure. Disposed transversely of the supports 3i! and 3! at a predetermined height are removable rods 32 and 33 adapted to rideupon the upper edges of walls I and 2 when the apparatus is assembled for the waving operation. As shown in Figure 9, bearing surfaces 25 and 26 are flush-against bearing ledges 5 and 6 in this position and due to the same curvature being used upon both the comb and wave forming elements, no rocking movement either longitudinally or transversely can result. At the same time any stresses imposed upon the structure through the resistance of the hair is distributed over the large bearing area.

At the top of housing Ii) a conveniently shaped thumb seat 34 is provided and as will benoted, support 36 extends above rod 32 a substantial distance. Moreover, an open channel between walls I and 2 and above the slot 29 in member 20 is provided and as a result a convenient means for holding and operating the apparatus is placed at the users disposal. Due to this feature the device may be handled with either hand and may be used upon any portion of the hair Without fear of dropping the structure or of operating the same improperly.

While an apparatus embodying only the structure thus far described may be employed with a certain measure of success in the waving of hair, it is found that certain disadvantages are present.

' Primarily, the chief problem is the disengagement of such apparatus from the hair after the wave is formed. Hair caught between teeth I and teeth 2? after being formed into a wave tends to hang upon those teeth and in order to loosen the usual apparatus from the hair a short reverse movement of the wave forming element must take place. This movement tends to destroy the formed wave and requires considerable skill and practice upon the part of the operator.

In order to avoid this disadvantage the present invention provides means for releasing the apparatus from the waved hair without disarranging the wave. Formed into side walls I and; of the comb element are slots 59 and 4| into which rods 32 and 33 are adapted tofit when the wave is completely formed. These slots are formed at the same angle as the axis of teeth 7 on the comb member for a purpose later to become apparent;

Resilientmeans of any suitable nature such as a compression spring 42 positioned within recess 33 of housing it) provides a reliable means for lifting the comb member from the hair at the conclusion of the waving operation. As will be obvious, the angle of slots 40 and 4| determines the direction in which the comb member will be lifted and since the least disarrangement will result. when the teeth 7 of the comb member are moved parallel tothe axis of those teeth, those slots accordingly are made parallel to the axis. of the teeth.

Due to relative displacement between the comb and wave forming members during the waving operation and during this lifting operation, it is found desirable to provide a housing member such as a hollow cup 44 for retaining the exposed lower end of. spring 42. This cup is of such dimensions as to remain journalled in recess 43 of housing l B even in the raised position of the comb member, as shown in Figure '7 The smooth bottom of cup 34 rests securely in the slot 25: of the wave forming member at all times and permits an ofhcient relative movement between the two members even while the spring is under compression. By means of this construction no torsional stresses are placed upon the spring and the spring is effective to lift the comb member at the instant rods 32 and 33 enter slots ii and 4!.

One manner of operating the apparatus as thus described may take the following sequence. With the hair prepared for waving the user forces the comb and Wave forming members together compressing spring 42 and forcing rods 32 and 33 from slots Gt and M The wave forming member is then moved to a ready position shown in Figure 8 with rods 32 and 33 sliding along the top edges of walls 1' and 2. For convenience, a marked scale S is provided along one edge of the comb member and is adapted'to'cooperate with rod 32 on the Wave forming member.

The extent to which the Wave forming member is moved determines the degree of wave resulting and such a scale provides a ready means of assuring the precise amount of waving desired.

With the apparatus thus secured in a ready position andbeing held. between the support 3|] and thumb seat 34 by one hand the user places of teeth .21.

which a wave is desired. The teeth I and 21 (as shown in Figure 8) nestle deep into the hair and as support 3!] is moved toward housing I0 by the pressure of the fingers the hair is guided between teeth i on each side of the comb member and is pulled into a curved path by the movement, When the desired degree of waving is obtained rods 32 and 33 fall into slots 40 and 4| and spring 42 effects the raising of the comb member from the hair. ever, still remains in contact with teeth 2'! which are unaffected by the lifting'of the comb member;

The operator then lifts the apparatus gently from the hair and teeth 21 are removed without disturbing the wave. As will be apparent, the device is intended to be reset after the formation of each wave since at the completion of the waving movement (Figure 7) the comb member and the wave forming member are separated through the action of spring 42. When the device is reset for subsequent usespring 42 is manually compressed and pins 32 and 33 are cammed outwardly in slots 4:] and 4| and are moved to the left- (Figure 8) along the top of walls I and 2 a given distance depending upon the nature of the wave desired. In this way supports 30 and'3l and cup 44 housing spring 42 are lifted above the strands of hair which are to be waved. Subsequent waves at different locations and directions or in a continuation of the same wave may be made to suit the users fancy by a repetition of this procedure until the coifiure is completed. An additional advantage resulting from the construction disclosed above lies in the fact that the entire apparatus is operable at all times above the hair being waved. No members extending into and under the hair and lifting the same outwardly into the waving means are required. In certain prior constructions of such nature the removal of the apparatus from the hair without disarranging the wave entailed both a slow and expert operation on the part of the user Whereas the present device may be used rapidly and successfuly even by unskilled operators.

In thus disclosing the invention it will be noted that certain features such asthe parallel teeth, the inclination of slots 40 and 4! and the parallel construction of supports 30 and 3| have been mentioned. -While a satisfactory adaptation of the invention may well be made without these specific features andis so intended to be covered by this disclosure, certain practical reasons suggest the .use of these features. It is contemplated that the apparatus will be constructed of a light and strong material such as bakelite, tennite or similar plastic and'will be molded into shape. Any satisfactory apparatus must have smooth. surfaces for engaging with the hair and for this reason parallel lines along which a mold may be drawn will give the best results and will'avoid the formation of fins or obstructions upon the molded article.

The waved hair, how- I claim:

1. Hair waving apparatus comprising in com-' bination, an elongated channel member having comb like teeth disposed along the'sides there: of and inclined in one direction, a wave forming member journalled'in the channel member and having teeth inclined in another direction, means holding the members together for sliding engagement during the wave forming operation and means for automatically disengaging the members when the wave is formed.

2. In a hair waving apparatus, comb-like means holding the hair in place, wave forming means journalled in the comb means, and means automatically disengaging the comb means from the wave forming means at the completionof the wave forming operation, whereby the apparatus may be removed from the hair without disarranging the wave.

3. In a hair waving apparatus having a comblikemeans for holding the hair and a comb-like means for forming the wave automatic, means" I for lifting the comb-like :means from the hair whereby the apparatus may be removed without disarranging the wave.

4. In a hair waving apparatus, a comb-like means for guiding thehairandhaving teeth in-;

clined at a uniform angle in one direction, wave forming means having teeth inclined at a uniform angle in another direction and means for lifting the comb means from the hair at-the same angle as the angle of the comb teeth whereby the apparatus may be removed without disarranging the wave.

5. Hair waving apparatus comprising in com bination, a member having spaced inclined teeth.

disposed along the sides thereof, a member journalled within the first member and movable for a variable distance therein whereby a wave of variable size may be formed, said member having teeth disposed in an opposite direction, means securing the two members together and spring means effective to force the members apart in a predetermined location.

6. In a structure of the character described, spaced comb-like means for guiding the hair to be waved, wave forming means movable within wardly extending member movable within the comb-like means and having edges disposed in close proximity to the comb-lil e means and means for separating the comb-like'means and the wave forming means after the wave is formed whereby hair held by the comb-like means will be pushedtherefrom by the edges of the wave forming means and rearwardly extending member when the waving operation is completed;

8. Hair waving apparatus comprising a comb member having bearing surfaces on. its lower face, a wave forming member movable along the comb member and having bearing surfaces on its upper face and means holding the members together for contact along the bearing surfaces during the waving operation whereby stresses imposed through operation of the apparatus may be distributed along the bearing surfaces.

9. Hair waving apparatus comprising a comb member having bearing surfaces on its lower face, a wave forming member having bearing surfaces on its upper face, means holding the members together for contact along the bearing surfaces during the waving operation and means for automatically disengaging the comb member from the wave forming member at the completion of the waving operation whereby the apparatus may be lifted from the hair without disarranging the wave and may be readily cleaned after use.

10. In a hair waving apparatus, a comb member having depending teeth inclined at an angle and engaging the hair, and automatic means for lifting the comb upwardly from the hair along the same angle as the axis of the teeth whereby the apparatus may be removed without disarranging the hair.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, a comb member having inclined teeth formed on parallel axes and a wave forming member cooperating with the comb member for engaging the hair and having inclined teeth formed on other parallel axes whereby smooth parallel surfaces may be provided for engagement of the teeth with the hair in order to render the apparatus easily removable from the hair.

12. A hair waving device operable above the hair to be waved to provide for removal of the device without disarranging the formed wave comprising, a comb member having depending teeth inclined in one direction serving to hold the strands of hair from above said hair, a waveforming member journalled in the comb member for relative movement therewith and having depending teeth inclined in an opposed direction serving to engage the strands of hair from above said hair, and means holding the respective members in cooperating position during the waving operation whereby hair may be waved by the action of the respective opposed teeth and may remain in the waved condition when the device is lifted upwardly from the hair.

13. A hair waving device operable above the hair to be waved to provide for removal of the device without disarranging the formed wave comprising, a comb member having parallel depending teeth inclined in one direction serving to hold the strands of hair from above said hair, a wave-forming member journalled in the comb member for relative movement therewith and having parallel depending teeth inclined in an opposed direction serving to engage the strands of hair from above said hair, and means holding the respective members in cooperating position during the waving operation whereby hair may be waved by the action of the respective opposed teeth and may remain in the waved condition when the device is lifted upwardly from the hair along the axis of the parallel teeth.

14. In a hair waving apparatus, a comb member having spaced walls providing a guide means adjacent their upper edges, inclined depending comb teeth formed in the lower edges of said walls,a wave forming member movably journalled between the walls and having depending teeth oppositely inclined from the comb teeth and transverse guide rods rigidly afiixed to the wave forming member adapted to move along the guide means on the walls in order to hold the respective members in operable position during the engagement of their oppositely inclined teeth With the hair.

15. In a hair waving apparatus, a comb member having spaced walls providing a guide means, a wave forming member movably journalled between the spaced walls and guide rods rigidly affixed to the wave forming member adapted to move along the guide means on the Walls in order to hold the respective members in cooperating position during the wave forming operation.

16. In a hair waving device, a comb member having spaced walls providing a guide means adjacent their upper edges, inclined depending comb teeth formed in the lower edges of said walls, guide channels cut into the upper-sides of said walls, a wave forming member having depending teeth oppositely inclined from the comb teeth and adapted to fit movably between the spaced sides of the comb member, and transverse guide rods afiixed to the wave forming member adapted to move along the guide means in the spaced walls to secure the members in cooperating relation during the waving operation and to move into the guide channels at the end of the waving operation in order to separate the said members for ready removal of the device from the hair.

17. In a hair waving device, a comb member having spaced walls providing a guide means adjacent their upper'edges, parallel inclined depending comb teeth formed in the lower edges of said walls, parallel guide channels cut into the upper sides of said walls on the same axis as the comb teeth, a wave forming member having parallel depending teeth oppositely inclined from the comb teeth and adapted to fit movably between'the spaced sides of the comb member, and transverse guide rods afiixed to the wave forming member adapted to move along the guide means in the spaced walls to secure the members in cooperating relation during the waving operation and to move into the guide channels at the end of the waving operation in order to separate the said members for ready removal of the device from the hair.

18. In a device of the character described in claim 16, resilient means interposed between the comb member and wave forming member and adapted to separate the members automatically when the guide rods move into the guide channels on the comb member walls.

19. In a device of the character described in claim 17, resilient means interposed between the comb member and wave forming member and adapted to separate the members automatically by raising the comb member upwardly along the axis of itsdepending teeth when the guide rods move into the guide channels on the comb member walls.

JOHN B. COPENI-IEFER. 

